Sweden - Risk Drinking Project: Alcohol prevention work in primary health care and occupational heath care

The aim of this project is to have issues about alcohol habits to be a natural element in the daily health care work - integrated in such as way that it reflects alcohols importance as a source of medical injuries and illnesses.

In recent years, Sweden has experienced rapid changes in alcohol consumption patterns due primarily to the internationalization effect of joining the EU. Once noted for its relatively low alcohol consumption, Sweden has seen a 30% increase over the last ten years.

Although teenagers and young people are prioritized in Sweden's alcohol policy, increase in alcohol consumption is by no means limited to these groups; in fact the percentage increase is greatest in older age groups.

The project

Considerable resources have been invested to break new ground in alcohol policy. One such investment is The Swedish risk drinking project that started in 2004.

Early on, extensive analysis of the current situation at an international level was disheartening as it was baffling. Despite significant dissemination of evidence about medical advantages, cost effectiveness methods and ambitious multi-year projects, any sign of success was almost non-existent in primary and occupational heath care.

Taking initiatives from other closely related areas, such as tobacco consumption, the project proposes that the effective way forward is through motivational interviewing techniques and offering advice in a way suited to the daily work practices of doctors and nurses in health centres.

Three main points of the strategy in the implementation of alcohol prevention measures in primary and occupational health care are:

- forceful economic support by the government both to a national knowledge centre and to all of the country's health care regions.
- close cooperation with the professional organisations within health care and welfare.
- strong focus on education and networking to change attitudes and increase knowledge.

More information about the project can be found at

http://www.fhi.se/templates/Page____11504.aspx

http://www.fhi.se/upload/The%20Swedish%20Risk%20Drinking%20Project.pdf

Contact person: Svante Pettersson svante.pettersson@fhi.se